Starting on June 30, visitors will no longer be allowed to bring and use their selfie sticks inside all Disney-themed parks in the U.S.
Parks in other countries such as Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland will enforce the same ban beginning on July 1, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
According to Disney, the move to prohibit the use of the popular tool for taking selfie shots was made due to safety concerns. In an internal memo, the company stated that it will ban the selfie poles in all of its parks to ensure the safety of its visitors and staff members.
"We strive to provide a great experience for the entire family, and unfortunately selfie sticks have become a growing safety concern for both our guests and cast," a company spokesperson said in a statement according to Android Authority.
"The use of selfie sticks also compromises our ability to deliver on the four keys: safety, courtesy, show and efficiency," the representative added.
The company explained that once the ban is enforced, visitors who have selfie sticks will be asked to turn them over to the park's lost and found office. They will be able to claim their selfie sticks once they leave the park.
Those who refuse to surrender their selfie poles will not be allowed to enter the park.
As for violators, or those who are able to successfully sneak in the prohibited item, it is not yet clear if they will be fined by park authorities. However, based on the company's memo, staff members are instructed to stop rides once they see a park visitor using a selfie stick.
With the new ruling, Disneyland will become the latest tourist destination that has opposed the use of these extendable poles. Other facilities and major events such as SeaWorld Orlando, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Wimbledon, Lollapallooza and the Kentucky Derby have imposed similar bans due to safety reasons, according to the Washington Post.
